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Lot Essay
The remarkable collaboration between Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal reached a new technical milestone in 2017 with the introduction of the RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, produced in a limited edition of just 50 pieces. Its spectacular red and yellow Quartz TPT® case pays tribute to Nadal’s native Spain, while the titanium upper bridge is shaped to evoke the head of a bull, a reference both to Spain and to the tennis champion’s fighting spirit.
Developed to withstand the extreme forces generated during professional tennis, the RM 27-03 established a new benchmark for shock resistance. Following extensive testing, its tourbillon movement was capable of withstanding accelerations of up to an extraordinary 10'000 G, while a prototype was worn by Nadal himself during competition.
The construction follows principles first explored with the RM 27-02 and draws inspiration from Formula 1 chassis design. Its skeletonised baseplate is integrated directly into the caseband to form Richard Mille’s so-called ‘unibody’ construction, providing exceptional rigidity while maintaining an extraordinarily low weight. The red and yellow Quartz TPT® case is formed from hundreds of ultra-thin layers of quartz fibres, creating the distinctive striated appearance that makes each case visually unique.
Combining an exceptionally lightweight construction, extreme shock resistance and a tourbillon movement with unmistakable Spanish-inspired aesthetics, the RM 27-03 stands as one of the most technically ambitious creations to emerge from the long-standing partnership between Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal.
Of particular note, the present timepiece has been freshly serviced by Richard Mille in October 2026 and consequently benefits from a two-year warranty as of 7 October 2026.
Rafael Nadal
Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Rafael Nadal enjoyed an extraordinary professional career defined by his intensity, athleticism and dominance on clay. He won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 French Open championships, and spent 209 weeks as world No. 1. Alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Nadal formed the celebrated ‘Big Three’ who dominated men’s tennis for much of the early 21st century.
Developed to withstand the extreme forces generated during professional tennis, the RM 27-03 established a new benchmark for shock resistance. Following extensive testing, its tourbillon movement was capable of withstanding accelerations of up to an extraordinary 10'000 G, while a prototype was worn by Nadal himself during competition.
The construction follows principles first explored with the RM 27-02 and draws inspiration from Formula 1 chassis design. Its skeletonised baseplate is integrated directly into the caseband to form Richard Mille’s so-called ‘unibody’ construction, providing exceptional rigidity while maintaining an extraordinarily low weight. The red and yellow Quartz TPT® case is formed from hundreds of ultra-thin layers of quartz fibres, creating the distinctive striated appearance that makes each case visually unique.
Combining an exceptionally lightweight construction, extreme shock resistance and a tourbillon movement with unmistakable Spanish-inspired aesthetics, the RM 27-03 stands as one of the most technically ambitious creations to emerge from the long-standing partnership between Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal.
Of particular note, the present timepiece has been freshly serviced by Richard Mille in October 2026 and consequently benefits from a two-year warranty as of 7 October 2026.
Rafael Nadal
Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Rafael Nadal enjoyed an extraordinary professional career defined by his intensity, athleticism and dominance on clay. He won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 French Open championships, and spent 209 weeks as world No. 1. Alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Nadal formed the celebrated ‘Big Three’ who dominated men’s tennis for much of the early 21st century.